Comparing Missoula And Into Thin Air

Style is a very personal writing tool that allows each writer to stand out in an ocean of good writers. Many authors have a completely recognizable writing style while other have the ability to reduce or increase certain traits in order to satisfy their audience, the topic of the book or just for fun. For instance, Jon Krakauer wrote Into Thin Air and stepped out of his comfort zone to write the controversial but necessary Missoula. Into Thin Air is written to expose the contentious nature of the expedition on Mount Everest while Missoula’s purpose is to expose the injustices that rape victims face. Both novels incorporate Krakauer’s original style with a myriad of differences including structure, tone and point of view, and methods of appeal.

The tone Krakauer utilizes in both Missoula and Into Thin Air remains educated and unbiased due to his constant use of high diction and minimal colloquialism. Although the issues in both books evoke emotion from the reader, Krakauer remains professional with a mature tone. In Missoula, he gives emotional freedom to the reader by writing only the evidence and information with limited personal opinion. The individual rape stories touches the heart of each reader but Krakauer does not let his emotions persuade his style. Similarly, Into Thin Air includes many stories from other expedition groups climbing the mountain though it is a personal story of a life threatening event. Although Krakauer was deprived of oxygen when he was climbing up Mount Everest, his story includes a great amount of evidence and seems credible. Missoula is mostly from a 3rd person’s perspective while Into Thin Air is obviously a first person account. The fixed educational tone in both novels allows the reader freedom to their own feelings and emotions. The third person point of view creates a stable, credible platform for Missoula while Into Thin Air’s first person point of view creates a more personal relationship with the